Two Souvenir Menus from Pete Harman's Do Drop Inn Cafe. [The Birthplace of the World's First Kentucky Fried Chicken Franchise]

Salt Lake City, UT: Do Drop Inn, 1949. Ephemera. Very Good. Two brochure-style menus printed on standard paper stock measuring 7.75" x 3.5" folded (opening to 13" wide). Both feature eight panels (four panels per side) with red and green mid-century graphics of the diner's exterior at the front. Some light creasing, wear, and sporadic staining to each. Rear panels of each have light abrasions and paper residue likely from having previously been pasted in an album or a backing board. The 1947 example is age-toned. A nice pair of mid-century culinary items from the original 'Do Drop Inn' at 39th South and State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah-what would become the literal birthplace of the world's first Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise later in 1952. While Colonel Harland Sanders had previously developed his secret recipe and operated his independent Sanders Court & Café in Corbin, Kentucky, it was here at Harman's Salt Lake City diner that the commercial franchise system was born in August 1952. Partnering with the Colonel, Utah native Pete Harman (1919-2014) debuted the trademarked 'Kentucky Fried Chicken' name and pioneered the iconic bucket packaging, transforming a local roadside operation into a multi-billion-dollar global fast-food empire.

The 'Do Drop Inn' was first established by Pete Harman in 1941. The 1947 menu here explicitly celebrates the 1947 Utah Centennial (the bottom of the back panel reads "Drop Back and See Us | 1947 | (Utah Centennial)"), and also features a nighttime photo of the illuminated cafe with a printed greeting from "Peter Harman, prop." The second (1949) menu showcases classic pre-franchise roadside fare, including "Pete's Home Made Pie." An exceptional pair of regional Americana items documenting the humble roots of an iconic brand.